Class A office building set for downtown Boulder

BOULDER – Construction is expected to begin this summer on W.W. Reynolds’ new downtown office building at the corner of 13th and Walnut streets in Boulder.

The 65,000-square-foot office structure, named The Wencel Building, will be designed by STUDIO architecture to a LEED Gold certification standard with five floors of office space enhanced by a large exterior courtyard running through the center of the project.

“We believe the way our design clearly incorporated Boulder’s Downtown Design Guidelines as well as our ability to collaborate with the city’s staff accelerated the entitlement process,´ said Jeff Dawson, president and founder of STUDIO architecture.

The W.W. Reynolds Companies Inc., a commercial real estate development, leasing and professional property management firm, selected Boulder-based Wyatt Construction to build the new structure. It is expected to be completed by mid-2015.

“We’re excited to be working with W.W. Reynolds again on such a significant project,” Dawson said. “Our building is unique in the way it will include not only class A office space in the upper levels of the building, but flexible space at the courtyard level for smaller, entrepreneurial businesses who are growing rapidly.”

Dawson said the Wencel Building’s courtyard bisects the basement and first floor to connect Walnut Street to the north side of the site.

“This solution brings daylight and opportunities for natural ventilation deep into the building, making it more energy efficient and attractive to potential tenants,” Dawson said. “The building will also include large storefront glazing at street level to encourage service retail and other office uses along Walnut and 13th streets.”

Jeff Wingert, a partner at W.W. Reynolds, said the demand for office and retail space in this market is exceptionally strong at the moment.

“The Wencel Building will help meet the needs of companies looking to expand and stay in downtown Boulder,” he said, adding that there has been “substantial” interest from office and retail businesses. He anticipates the building will be fully preleased before it is completed.